The dearth of data regarding individuals in long-term recovery highlights the need to examine a sample that includes individuals with several years of recovery experience. Moreover, although previous studies have examined treated, non-treated and general population samples, none has focused on individuals who identify themselves as “in recovery” from alcohol problems. Instead, past studies have equated “recovery” with DSM-IV diagnostic criteria and national guidelines for low-risk drinking; these criteria may exclude people who consider themselves “in recovery.” For example, individuals involved in harm reduction techniques that do not involve changed drinking may consider themselves in recovery. Importantly, the only published study that asked individuals in recovery (from crack or heroin dependence in this particular study) how they defined the term revealed that less than half responded in terms of substance use; the other definitions were more general, such as a process of working on oneself (Laudet 2007). In addition, some might consider abstinence as a necessary part of the recovery process, while others might not.
